Cleopatra's Needle, Ancient Egyptian obelisk in Central Park, United States
The 69-foot granite monolith stands between the Great Lawn and Metropolitan Museum of Art, weighing 220 tons and featuring hieroglyphic inscriptions on all sides.
Commissioned by Pharaoh Thutmose III in 1450 BCE for the Temple of the Sun in Heliopolis, the obelisk arrived in New York City in 1880 as a gift from Egypt.
The transportation of this monument required 32 horses to pull it through Manhattan streets, with thousands of citizens gathering to witness its installation.
The obelisk is accessible via the East Drive at 81st Street, near the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and remains a permanent exhibit in Central Park.
Four bronze crabs support the base of the obelisk, replacing the original Roman supports that were designed to stabilize the ancient monument.
Location: Manhattan
Inception: 15 century BCE
Part of: Cleopatra's Needles
GPS coordinates: 40.77963,-73.96540
Latest update: May 26, 2025 21:07
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